Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1887-11-11

/ the Lolo trail on the north and the Nez
Perez trail on the south is terra incog-
aSta. So little is known of that prime
sessed by those who know it best, is
confined to knowledge that four large
branches of the Clearwater have their
sources therein. 1t is undoubtedly a
rich mineral belt, and as the CGur
d'Alene and Wood river camps become
more and more closely prospected, the
the prospectors will naturally swarm
over the Bitter Root range from north
and south, when discoveries of equal
prominence to those camps may be con-
tidently expected. Further to the
southwark, in the heart of the Salmon
river mountains, is new camp wherein
Mr.. Parker has spent the last two sum-
mers, and in which valuable discoveries
of silver-bearing quartz have been
made, samples of which may be seen in
the St. Charles hotel. Mr. p. is so i'm
pressed with the future Importance of
this camp, which is called Alton dist
riot, that he will shortly proceed to
Boise city to work up project to build
territorial wagon road between north
and south Idaho, from whence the
mines of Alton district and the equally
promising camp of Warrens can be cas-
lily reached. The Oregontan has commits
stoned Mr.. Parker to write a full des-
cription of this new camp and its sur
rounings.
Replying to question about the
growth of Idaho territory in general,
Mr.. Parker, referring to a memoranda,
stated that Idaho was progressing more
rapidly, proportionately, than any other
territory in the Union. Her population
is now about 100000; her taxable
property as given in by the county
assessors aggregates this year $2l 100000
an increase Of $4,000,000 over last year.
Our voting population, including the
disfranchised Mormons, is $4,000. Here
are some school statistics which will
show our growth in ten years AS we'll as
anything:
1876. 1886
Children of schcol age, registered 2,777 5000
Children OF school age, not 500 5000 !
Number of school districts g.. e.. II 300 !
School money expended ........ $4,000 $130,000
In 1876 there was not mile of rail-
road projected or even dreamed of in all
Idaho territory, and the people used to
dream of railroad possibilities Just as
Portland dreams of the big hotel. Now
the Northern Pacific crosses the north
ern end, and the Oregon Short Line
traverses the southern portion of the
territory in its area of gratest breadth
while branch lines are either constructed
or projected to connect its most isolated
regions. In 1880 the population of
Alturas county was $50; to day she bas
nearly 10000 inhabitants within her
borders. In 1888 and for six years pre-
viously, the vote Of Shoshone county
was only forty-five votes, while at the |
last election she polled nearly 1000 |
votes. These, of course, are the counties |
portonately the same throughout the !
territory. idaho has been of slow
growth, owing chiefly to her great dist
ance from the settled portions of the |
country, the difficulty of access, the fear
of Indians, and the little that is known
of her resources. But though growing
to importance slowly, it is not hard to
perceive that it is country of great
value, and that great as the changes
have been in the last decade, they will
be still greater in the next, viewing the
prospect in the light of the character of
population, the facilities for now reach
ing her through her rail- oads and the
flood of light which has recently shone
upon her resources. Ia point of fact no
country has II greater diversity of re-
sources than Idaho territory, and her
products are beginning to excite the
attention of the country, and it is AVA
kening it somewhat to the conviction
that it has productive capabilities not
heretofore suspected.
Idaho territory. Mr. Parker concluded,
) the best poor mans country in the
cnited States, and it will be matter of :
= eat qualification to her people if the
cheming politicians of other states and :
erritories will leave US alone in order {
hat We may complete the grand work Q
We have undertaken in building up a !
prosperous commonwealth of the $
Union. Statehood is already in sight Il
or Idaho territory, and we are content i
o dwell in peace and devote all our en-
rgies towards the development of our
Dormant resources, until, in the fullness =
f time our efforts will be crowned with
he full fruition of statehood for Idaho
Cortland Oregonian.
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